Short-range wireless communication apparatus

ABSTRACT

A short-range wireless communication apparatus is disclosed. The short-range wireless communication apparatus comprises: multiple connection devices and a control device. The connection devices are capable of simultaneously connecting multiple communication interfaces to a communication counterparty apparatus to enable sound data transfer. When the control device determines that, in cases where the communication interfaces are communicably connected, there arises a request to start outputting the sound data transferred by one of the communication interfaces, the control device disconnects another one of the communication interfaces while keeping the one of the communication interfaces connected and causes a sound data output device to output the sound data transferred from the communication counterparty apparatus by the one of the communication interfaces.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/535,937 filed on Jun. 28, 2012. The present application is based onand claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-145782 filedon Jun. 30, 2011, disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a short-range wireless communicationapparatus that can simultaneously connect multiple communicationinterfaces to a communication counterparty apparatus and that includesmultiple connection devices for sound data transmission from thecommunication counterparty apparatus by the multiple communicationinterfaces.

BACKGROUND

A short-range wireless communication apparatus having a short-rangewireless communication function can connect a short-range wirelesscommunication line to a communication counterparty apparatus which is,for example, a mobile phone. By connecting a sound data transferprotocol defining sound data transfer with the communicationcounterparty apparatus, the short-range wireless communication apparatusreceives the sound data transferred from the communication counterpartyapparatus based on the sound data transfer protocol and outputs soundfrom a speaker. JP-2008-273370A (US 2008/0269961A) discloses thatAdvanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) and Audio/Video RemoteControl Profile (AVRCP), respectively, are a sound data transferprotocol defining sound data transfer and a control data transferprotocol defining control data transfer relating to sound data controlaccording to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communicationstandards.

In this relation, the inventor of the present application has found outthe following. A conceivable system is that there are multiplecommunication interfaces between a short-range wireless communicationapparatus and a communication counterparty apparatus. In such a system,the multiple communication interfaces (e.g., transmission medium such asdata communication protocols and communication lines) enabling sounddata transfer are simultaneously connected between a short-rangewireless communication apparatus and a communication counterpartyapparatus. In this case, when the multiple communication interfacesprovides different functions, a user may wish to transfer sound datafrom the communication counterparty apparatus by his or her desiredcommunication interface by selecting it from the multiple communicationinterfaces. However, depending on the specifications of thecommunication counterparty apparatus, when multiple communicationinterfaces are simultaneously connected between the short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus and the communication counterparty apparatus,the simultaneously-connected multiple communication interface preventsthe communication counterparty apparatus from appropriately transferringthe sound data.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is made in view of the foregoing. It is an objectof the present disclosure to provide a short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus which can simultaneously connect multiplecommunication interfaces to a communication counterparty apparatus andwhich enables appropriate sound transfer from the communicationcounterparty apparatus by one of the multiple communication interfaces.

According to a first example of the present disclosure, a short-rangewireless communication apparatus comprises multiple connection devicesand a control device. The multiple connection devices are capable ofsimultaneously connecting a plurality of communication interfaces to acommunication counterparty apparatus. The multiple connection devicescause transfer of sound data from the communication counterpartyapparatus by the communication interfaces. The control device isconfigured to cause a sound data output device to selectively output thesound data transferred from the communication counterparty apparatus toany of the connection devices by any of the communication interfaces.When the control device determines that, in cases where thecommunication interfaces are communicably connected, there arises arequest to start outputting the sound data transferred by one of thecommunication interfaces, the control device disconnects another one ofthe communication interfaces while keeping the one of the communicationinterfaces connected and causes the sound data output device to outputthe sound data that is transferred from the communication counterpartyapparatus by the one of the communication interfaces.

A short-range wireless communication apparatus comprising:

According to the above configuration, even if the communicationcounterparty apparatus is designed to be incapable of appropriatelytransfer the sound data due to the simultaneously-connected multiplecommunication interfaces between the short-range wireless communicationapparatus and the communication counterparty apparatus, the short-rangewireless communication apparatus can cause the communicationcounterparty apparatus to appropriately transfer the sound data bydisconnecting the another one of the communication interfaces whilemaintaining the connection of the one of the communication interfacesassociated with the sound data output start request.

According to a second example of the present disclosure, a short-rangewireless communication apparatus comprises multiple connection devicesand a control device. The multiple connection devices are capable ofsimultaneously connecting a plurality of communication interfaces to acommunication counterparty apparatus. The multiple connection devicescause transfer of sound data from the communication counterpartyapparatus by the communication interfaces. The control device isconfigured to cause a sound data output device to selectively output thesound data transferred from the communication counterparty apparatus toany of the connection devices by any of the communication interfaces.When the control device determines that, in cases where one of thecommunication interfaces is not communicably connected and another oneof the communication interfaces is communicably connected, there arisesa request to start outputting the sound data transferred by the one ofthe communication interfaces, the control device disconnects the anotherone of the communication interfaces and thereafter connects the one ofthe communication interfaces and causes the sound data output device tooutput the sound data that is transferred from the communicationcounterparty apparatus by the one of the communication interfaces.

According to the above configuration, even if the communicationcounterparty apparatus is designed to be incapable of appropriatelytransfer the sound data due to the simultaneously-connected multiplecommunication interfaces between the short-range wireless communicationapparatus and the communication counterparty apparatus, the short-rangewireless communication apparatus can cause the communicationcounterparty apparatus to appropriately transfer the sound data bydisconnecting the another one of the communication interfaces andthereafter connecting the one of the communication interfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a BT communicationsystem of one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a main processing performed by anin-vehicle apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication interface connectionprocessing;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a last-used communication interfacecheck processing;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating USB communication line connectioncheck processing;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an A2DP/AVRCP-based sound data outputstart request check processing;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a USB-communication-line-based sounddata output start request check processing;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an A2DP/AVRCP-based sound data outputend request check processing;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a USB-communication-line-based sounddata output end request check processing;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a change in communication interfaceconnection in cases where a mobile phone is an ordinary type and a sounddata transmitted by USB communication line had been outputtedimmediately before an in-vehicle apparatus was last powered off.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a change in communication interfaceconnection in cases where a mobile phone is an ordinary type and a sounddata transmitted by A2DP/AVRCP had been outputted immediately before anin-vehicle apparatus was last powered off;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a change in communication interfaceconnection in cases where a mobile phone is a later-connected interfacepriority type and a sound data transmitted by USB communication line hadbeen outputted immediately before an in-vehicle apparatus was lastpowered off;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a change in communication interfaceconnection in cases where a mobile phone is a later-connected interfacepriority type and a sound data transmitted by A2DP/AVRCP had beenoutputted immediately before an in-vehicle apparatus was last poweredoff;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a change in communication interfaceconnection in cases where a mobile phone is an earlier-connectedinterface priority type and a sound data transmitted by USBcommunication line had been outputted immediately before an in-vehicleapparatus was last powered off;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a change in communication interfaceconnection in cases where a mobile phone is an earlier-connectedinterface priority type and a sound data transmitted by A2DP/AVRCP hadbeen outputted immediately before an in-vehicle apparatus was lastpowered off;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating how to connect and disconnectcommunication interfaces in cases where USB communication line isconnected before A2DP/AVRCP is connected;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating how to connect and disconnectcommunication interfaces in cases where USB communication line isconnected before A2DP/AVRCP is connected; and

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a last-used communication interfacecheck processing of one modification example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A BT-compatible in-vehicle apparatus having a Bluetooth (registeredtrademark) communication function (Bluetooth is also referred to hereinas “BT”) will be described with reference to drawings. In oneembodiment, it is assumed that a BT-compatible mobile phone having a BTcommunication function is carried in a compartment the vehicle equippedwith the in-vehicle apparatus, and that the in-vehicle apparatus and themobile phone are in a BT communication performable state.

As shown in FIG. 1, a BT communication system 1 includes an in-vehicleapparatus 2 (corresponding to a short-range wireless communicationapparatus) mounted in a vehicle, and a mobile phone 3 (corresponding toa communication counterparty apparatus) carried in the compartment thevehicle. The in-vehicle apparatus 2 includes a control section 4(corresponding to a control means and a control device), a BT module 5(corresponding to a connection means and a connection device), aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) module 6 (corresponding to a connection meansand a connection device), a storage section 7, a voice processingsection 8, a display control section 9, an operator input section 10,and a signal input section 11. The control section 4, the USB module 6,the storage section 7, the voice processing section 8, the displaycontrol section 9, the operator input section 10, and the signal inputsection 11 are physically mounted on a control board 12. The BT module 5is physically mounted on a BT module board 13 different from the controlboard 12. The control section 4 and the BT module 5 may be connected toeach other by a USB.

The control section 4 may include a microcomputer with a CPU, a RAM, aROM and an I/O bus and controls generally all operations of thein-vehicle apparatus 2, including communication operation and datamanagement operation.

The BT module 5 has functions to connect a BT communication line to a BTmodule of the mobile phone 3 and performs BT communication with themobile phone 3 by the BT communication line. The BT module 5 isconfigured to be capable of simultaneously connecting multiple profilesdefined by the BT communication standard (i.e. to achieve so-calledmulti-connection). The multiple profiles include Hands Free Profile(HFP) defining hands-free communication, Advanced Audio DistributionProfile (A2DP) defining sound data transfer, Audio/Video Remote ControlProfile (AVRCP) defining control data transfer for sound data control,Serial Port Profile (SPP) defining data communication using a virtualserial port, Dial-up Networking Profile (DUN) defining dial-up Internetconnection, Message Access Profile (MAP) defining e-mail data transfer,Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP) defining phone book data transfer, andObject Push Profile (OPP) also defining phone book data transfer. TheHFP, A2DP, AVRCP, SPP, DUN, MAP, PBAP, and OPP are data communicationprotocols defined on a function basis. By connecting A2DP and AVRCPbetween the BT module 5 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and the BT moduleof the mobile phone 3, sound data can be transferred between the BTmodule 5 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and the BT module of the mobilephone 3. A2DP and AVRCP corresponds to a communication interface.

The USB module 6 includes a connection terminal 6 a, which is detachablyconnectable to a connection terminal 14 a of a USB connection cable 14c. When the connection terminal 14 a of the USB connection cable 14 isconnected to the connection terminal 6 a and when the other connectionterminal 14 b of the USB connection cable 14 is connected to aconnection terminal of the USB module of the mobile phone 3, the USBmodule 6 can connect a USB communication line to the USB module of themobile phone 3, and can perform USB communication with the mobile phone3 by the USB communication line. When connecting the USB communicationline (USB application), the USB module 6 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2and the USB module of the mobile phone 3 can transfer the sound datatherebetween using the USB communication line. Like the foregoing A2DPand AVRCP, the USB communication line also corresponds to acommunication interface.

The storage section 7 has a storage area for storing various kinds ofdata. When the BT module 5 connects MAP to the BT module of the mobilephone 3, e-mail data may be transferred from the mobile phone 3 to theBT module 5 and may be stored in the storage section 7. The e-mail datamay include addresser information for identifying the e-mail sender,receipt date/time information for identifying the date and time when thee-mail was received at the mobile phone 3, and/or type information foridentifying the type of the e-mail. The type information may be, forexample, information for identifying the e-mail subject inputted by thesender. Also, when the BT module 5 connects PBAP to the BT module of themobile phone 3, phone book data, outgoing call history data, incomingcall history data and/or the like may be transferred from the mobilephone 3 to the BT module 5, and may be stored in the storage section 7.The outgoing call history data indicates correspondence between outgoingcall time destination's phone number for each outgoing call made from(i) the in-vehicle apparatus 2 or (ii) the mobile phone 3 that isconnected with the in-vehicle apparatus 2 by HFP. The incoming callhistory data indicates correspondence between caller's phone number andincoming call receipt time for each incoming call received by the mobilephone 3 that is connected, by HFP, with the in-vehicle apparatus 2.

The voice processing section 8 is connected with a microphone 15 and anaudio amplifier 16. The microphone 15 is disposed in the vehiclecompartment and is installed at a place where the voice uttered by theuser can be easily collected. For example, the microphone 15 may beplaced near the steering wheel. The audio amplifier 16 is external tothe in-vehicle apparatus 2. The audio amplifier 16 is connected withspeaker 17 a, 17 b (corresponding to a sound data output means and asound data output device).

When the HFP is connected between the BT module 5 and the BT module ofthe mobile phone 3, the user may utter voice to input an outgoing callvoice data to the microphone 15. In this case, the voice processingsection 8 processes the inputted voice data, then outputs the processedvoice data to the BT module 5. When an incoming call voice data isinputted to the BT module 5, the voice processing section 8 outputs theincoming call voice data to the audio amplifier 16.

When A2DP and AVRCP are connected between the BT module 5 and the BTmodule of the mobile phone 3, the sound data may be transferred from theBT module of the mobile phone 3 to the BT module 5 using A2DP and AVRCP.In this case, the voice processing section 8 outputs the transferredsound data to the audio amplifier 16. When USB communication isperformable between the USB module 6 and the USB module of the mobilephone 3, the sound data may be transferred from the USB module of themobile phone 3 to the USB module 6 by the USB communication line. Inthis case, the voice processing section 8 outputs the transferred sounddata to the audio amplifier 16.

When receiving the incoming call voice data or the sound data from thevoice processing section 8, the audio amplifier 16 amplifies theinputted voice data or sound data and outputs the amplified voice dataor sound data from speaker 17 a, 17 b. The audio amplifier 16 is alsoconnected with a tuner deck 18. When the tuner deck 18 plays music datafrom, for example, a music recording medium, the audio amplifier 16amplifies the music data and outputs the amplified music data from thespeaker 17 a, 17 b.

A display apparatus 19 includes a display unit 20 for displaying variousdisplay screens and an operation unit 21 for forming touch switches on adisplay screen. When receiving a display command signal from the controlsection 4, the display control section 9 controls display operation ofthe display unit 20 of the display apparatus 19 based on the inputteddisplay command signal. When a touch switch formed on a display screenis operated by the user, a corresponding operation detection signal isinputted from the operation unit 21 to the operator input section 10.The operator input section 10 then outputs the operation detectionsignal to the control section 4. The control section 4 analyzes theoperation detection signal received from the operator input section 10and determines the operation performed by the user.

The signal input section 11 is connected to an accessory (ACC) switchmounted to the vehicle. When an ACC signal outputted from the ACC switchis inputted, the signal input section 11 outputs the inputted ACC signalto the control section 4. The control section 4 controls the turningon/off of the apparatus power supply based on the turning on/off of theACC signal inputted from the signal input section 11. Namely, thecontrol section 4 turns the apparatus power supply on (turning thein-vehicle apparatus 2 on) when the ACC signal turns on and turns theapparatus power supply off (turning the in-vehicle apparatus 2 off) whenthe ACC signal turns off.

The mobile phone 3 includes a control section 22, a telephonecommunication section 23, a BT module 24, a USB module 25, a keyingsection 26, a storage section 27, a display section 28, a microphone 29,a speaker 30, and a power supply section 31.

The control section 22 may include a microcomputer with a CPU, a RAM, aROM, and an I/O bus and controls generally all operations of the mobilephone 3, including communication operation and data managementoperation. The telephone communication section 23 performs telephonecommunication with a communication network 33. The communication network33 includes equipment, such as a mobile phone base station and a basestation control apparatus, for providing mobile telephone communicationservices. The BT module 24 has a function to connect a BT communicationline to the BT module 5 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and perform BTcommunication by the BT communication line. The BT module 24 isconfigured to be capable of simultaneously connecting multiple profilesdefined by the BT communication standard such as HFP, A2DP, AVRCP, SPP,DUN, MAP, PBAP, and OPP.

The USB module 25 includes a connection terminal 25 a, which isdetachably connectable to the connection terminal 14 b of the USBconnection cable 14. When the connection terminal 14 a of the USBconnection cable 14 is connected to the connection terminal 6 a of theUSB module 6 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and the other connectionterminal, 14 b, of the USB connection cable 14 is connected to theconnection terminal 25 a, the USB module 25 can connect a USBcommunication line to the USB module 6 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 andperform USB communication with the in-vehicle apparatus 2 by the USBcommunication line.

The keying section 26 includes various keys operable by the user. When akey is operated by the user, a corresponding operation detection signalis outputted from the keying section 26 to the control section 22. Thecontrol section 22 then analyzes the inputted operation detection signaland determines the operation performed by the user. The storage section27 has a storage area for storing various kinds of data. When a displaycommand signal is received from the control section 22, the displaycontrol section 28 displays a display screen based on the displaycommand signal. Also, when voice uttered by the user is received asoutgoing call voice data from the microphone 29, the control section 22processes the outgoing call voice data. When an incoming call voice datais inputted from the telephone communication section 23, the controlsection 22 outputs the incoming call voice data as voice from thespeaker 30. The power supply section 31 supplies the power, which isfrom a detachable battery 32, as operating power to various functionblocks.

In the above configuration, after connecting a BT communication linebetween the BT module 5 and the BT module 24, the control section 4first automatically connects HFP between the BT module 5 and the BTmodule 24 (without requiring user operation). After finishing connectingHFP, the control section 4 automatically connects A2DP between the BTmodule 5 and the BT module 24. After finishing connecting A2DP, thecontrol section 4 automatically connects AVRCP between the BT module 5and the BT module 24. After finishing connecting AVRCP, the controlsection 4 automatically connects PBAP between the BT module 5 and the BTmodule 24. Then, with HFP, A2DP and AVRCP connected between the BTmodule 5 and the BT module 24, the control section 4 starts datacommunication (phone book data transfer) using PBAP. Subsequently, whenthe control section 4 determines that the data communication performedusing PBAP has ended, the control section 4 disconnects PBAP between theBT module 5 and the BT module 24 while keeping HFP, A2DP and AVRCPconnected.

When the USB communication line is connected between the USB module 6and the USB module 25 while A2DP and AVRCP are being connected betweenthe BT module 5 and the BT module 24, the mobile phone 3 acting as acommunication counterparty of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 has twocommunication interfaces for transmitting (transferring) the sound datato the in-vehicle apparatus 2, one being a USB communication line andthe other being A2DP and AVRCP. The sound data transmitted from themobile phone 3 to the in-vehicle apparatus 2 may be, for example, musicdata played with use of a music play function of the mobile phone 3.

Upon receipt of a sound data output start request command, whichrequests start of sound data output, from the in-vehicle apparatus 2,the mobile phone 3 transmits sound data to the in-vehicle apparatus 2.In cases where the two communication interfaces, e.g., the USBcommunication line and the A2DP and AVRCP, are usable in sound datatransmission, there are many ways for the mobile phone 3 to transmit thesound data. In term of sound data transmission way, the mobile phone canbe classified into the following three types according to apparatus'specifications as to which communication interface is used to transmitthe sound data.

(a) An ordinary type apparatus, which is allowed to transmit the sounddata by using any one of the USB communication line and the A2DP/AVRCPwhen the USB communication line and the A2DP/AVRCP are connected. Thisordinary type apparatus is also called herein an ordinary apparatus.

(b) A later-connected interface priority type apparatus (a special typeapparatus placing priority on a later-connected communicationinterface), which is allowed to transmit the sound data by using onlythe later-connected (last-connected) one of the two communicationinterfaces (the USB communication line and the A2DP/AVRCP) when the USBcommunication line and the A2DP/AVRCP are connected. The later-connectedinterface priority type apparatus is also called a later-connectedinterface priority apparatus.

(c) An earlier-connected interface priority type apparatus (a specialtype apparatus placing priority on an earlier-connected communicationinterface), which is allowed to transmit the sound data by using onlythe earlier-connected one (first-connected one) of the two communicationinterfaces (the USB communication line and the A2DP/AVRCP) when the USBcommunication line and the A2DP/AVRCP are connected. Theearlier-connected interface priority type apparatus is also called anearlier-connected interface priority apparatus.

Namely, in the ordinary type apparatus, the communication interfaceusable to transmit the sound data does not depend on an order in whichthe communication interfaces are connected. In the later-connectedinterface priority type apparatus and the earlier-connected interfacepriority type apparatus, the communication interface usable to transmitthe sound data depends on the order in which the communicationinterfaces are connected.

Next, the operations of the BT communication system 1 will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 2 to 18. FIGS. 2 to 9 are flowchartsillustrating processings performed by the control section 4 of thein-vehicle apparatus 2.

When the in-vehicle apparatus 2 is in a powered state (with an ACCswitch on), the control section 4 performs a main processing.Sub-processings of the main processing include a communication interfaceconnection processing, a last-used communication interface checkprocessing, a USB communication line connection check processing, anA2DP/AVRCP-based sound data output start request check processing, aUSB-communication-line-based sound data output start request checkprocessing, a A2DP/AVRCP-based sound data output end request checkprocessing, a USB-communication-line-based sound data output end requestcheck processing. These processings will be described in order below.

(1) Main Processing (See FIG. 2)

Upon determining that the in-vehicle apparatus 2 has been powered on,the control section 4 starts the main processing. In the mainprocessing, the communication interface connection processing and thelast-used communication interface check processing are performed onlyonce immediately after the in-vehicle apparatus 2 is powered on.Subsequently, the USB communication line connection check processing,the A2DP/AVRCP-based sound data output start request check processing,the USB-communication-line-based sound data output start request checkprocessing, the A2DP/AVRCP-based sound data output end request checkprocessing, and the USB-communication-line-based sound data output endrequest check processing are periodically performed at predeterminedintervals until the control section 4 determines that the in-vehicleapparatus 2 has been powered off (steps S1 to S8).

(2) Communication Interface Connection Processing (See FIG. 3)

After entering the communication interface connection processing fromthe main processing, the control section 4 first determines whether ornot the USB connection cable 14 is physically connected between thein-vehicle apparatus 2 and the mobile phone 3 (step S11). When theconnection terminal 14 a of the USB connection cable 14 has been alreadyconnected by the user to the connection terminal 6 a of the USB module 6of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and the other connection terminal 14 b ofthe USB connection cable 14 has also been already connected by the userto the connection terminal 25 a of the USB module 25 of the mobile phone3, the control section 4 determines that the USB connection cable 14 isphysically connected between the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and the mobilephone 3 (step S11=YES). Then, the control section 4 causes a USBcommunication line to be connected between the USB module 6 and the USBmodule 25, thereby enabling USB communication (step S12). In this case,connecting the USB communication line between the USB module 6 and theUSB module 25 refers to not physically connecting the USB communicationline but it refers to logically connecting (by software) the USBcommunication line to enable USB communication.

After connecting the USB communication line between the USB module 6 andthe USB module 25, the control section 4 connects a BT communicationline between the BT module 5 and the BT module 24 (step S13).Subsequently, the control section 4 connects HFP between the BT module 5and the BT module 24 (step S14), A2DP/AVRCP between the BT module 5 andthe BT module 24 (step S15), and PBAP between the BT module 5 and the BTmodule 24 (step S16). The control section 4 then ends the communicationinterface connection processing and returns to the main processing.

When the control section 4 determines that the USB connection cable 14is not physically connected between the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and themobile phone 3 (step S11=NO), the control section 4 connects a BTcommunication line between the BT module 5 and the BT module 24 (stepS13) without connecting they USB communication line between the USBmodule 6 and the USB module 25. Subsequently, the control section 24connects HFP (step S14), A2DP/AVRCP (step S15), and PBAP (step S16)between the BT module 5 and the BT module 24. The control section 4 thenends the communication interface connection processing and returns tothe main processing.

(3) Last-Used Communication Interface Check Processing (See FIG. 4)

After entering the last-used communication interface check processingfrom the main processing, the control section 4 first determines whetheror not the sound data transmitted from the USB module 25 to the USBmodule 6 by the USB communication line had been outputted immediatelybefore the in-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off (the ACC switchoff) (step S21).

When the control section 4 determines that the sound data transmitted bythe USB communication line had been outputted immediately before thein-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off (step S21=YES), the controlsection 4 determines whether or not the USB communication line isconnected (step S22). Specifically, at step S22 the control section 4determines whether both the USB communication line and the A2DP/AVRCPare concurrently connected and whether the USB communication line wasmade connected earlier and thereafter the A2DP/AVRCP was made connectedlater (step S22).

When the control section 4 determines that the USB communication line isconnected, specifically, When the control section 4 determines that theUSB communication line and the A2DP/AVRCP both are concurrentlyconnected and that the USB communication line was made connected earlierthan the A2DP/AVRCP was (step S22=YES), the processing proceeds to stepS23. At step S23, the control section 4 determines whether or not thecommunication counterparty apparatus to which the USB module 6 isconnected by the USB communication line is the same as the communicationcounterparty apparatus to which the BT module 5 is connected byA2DP/AVRCP. This determination may be made, for example, by comparingthe identification information (for example, apparatus identificationinformation identifying the mobile phone 3) received from the USB module25 when the USB communication line was made connected and theidentification information (for example, apparatus identificationinformation identifying the mobile phone 3) received from the BT module24 when the BT communication line was made connected.

In this case, when the communication counterparty apparatus to which theUSB module 6 is connected by the USB communication line is the same asthe communication counterparty apparatus to which the BT module 5 isconnected by A2DP/AVRCP, the identification information received fromthe USB module 25 and the identification information received from theBT module 24 matches each other. When the communication counterpartyapparatus to which the USB module 6 is connected by the USBcommunication line differs from the communication counterparty apparatusto which the BT module 5 is connected by A2DP/AVRCP, the identificationinformation received from the USB module 25 and the identificationinformation received from the BT module 24 does not match each other.

When the control section 4 determines that the identificationinformation received from the USB module 25 and the identificationinformation received from the BT module 24 matches each other,specifically, when the control section 4 determines that thecommunication counterparty apparatus to which the USB module 6 isconnected by the USB communication line is the same as the communicationcounterparty apparatus to which the BT module 5 is connected byA2DP/AVRCP (step S23=YES), the processing proceeds to step S24. At stepS24, the control section 4 determines whether or not the communicationcounterparty apparatus is the later-connected interface priority typeapparatus, which is a apparatus allowed to transmit the sound data byusing only the later-connected (last-connected) communication interfacewhen the multiple communication interfaces each enabling sound datatransmission are connected. This determination S24 may be made, forexample, based on the identification information received from the USBmodule 25 when the USB communication line was connected or theidentification information received from the BT module 24 when the BTcommunication line was connected. When the control section 4 determinesthat the communication counterparty apparatus is the later-connectedinterface priority type apparatus (step S24=YES), the control section 4disconnects the A2DP/AVRCP (A2DP and AVRCP) connected between the BTmodule 5 and the BT module 24 (step S25).

When the A2DP/AVRCP connected between the BT module 5 and the BT module24 is disconnected, the USB communication line connected between the USBmodule 25 and the USB module 6 becomes the only communication interfacethat the mobile phone 3 can use to transmit sound data to the in-vehicleapparatus 2. The control section 4 transmits a sound data output startrequest command from the USB module 6 to the USB module 25 (step S26).Because of this, sound data transmission from the USB module 25 to theUSB module 6 by the USB communication line stars, and additionally, thesound outputs from the speaker 17 a, 17 b. Subsequently, the controlsection 4 ends the last-used communication interface check processingand returns to the main processing.

When the control section 4 determines that the communicationcounterparty apparatus to which the USB module 6 is connected by the USBcommunication line differs from the communication counterparty apparatusto which the BT module 5 is connected by A2DP/AVRCP (step S23=NO) orwhen the control section 4 determines that the communicationcounterparty apparatus is not the later-connected interface prioritytype apparatus (step S24=NO), the processing proceeds to step S26. Atstep S26, the control section 4 transmits the sound data output startrequest command from the USB module 6 to the USB module 25 withoutdisconnecting the A2DP/AVRCP between the BT module 5 and the BT module24. Because of this, the sound data transmission from the USB module 25to the USB module 6 by the USB communication line starts, andadditionally, the sound outputs from the speaker 17 a, 17 b.Subsequently, the control section 4 ends the last-used communicationinterface check processing and returns to the main processing.

When the control section 4 determines that immediately before thein-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off, the sound data transmittedby a USB communication line had not been outputted (step S21=NO), theprocessing proceeds to step S27. At step S27, the control section 4determines whether or not the sound data transmitted from the BT module24 to the BT module 5 by A2DP/AVRCP had been outputted immediatelybefore the in-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off (step S27).

When the control section 4 determines that the sound data transmitted byA2DP/AVRCP had been outputted immediately before the in-vehicleapparatus 2 was last powered off (step S27=YES), the control section 4determines whether or not the USB communication line is connected (stepS28). Specifically, at step S28, the control section 4 determineswhether or not both the USB communication line and the A2DP/AVRCP bothare connected, and whether or not the USB communication line was madeconnected earlier and then the A2DP/AVRCP was made connected later.

When the control section 4 determines that the USB communication line isconnected, specifically, when the control section 4 determines that theUSB communication line and the A2DP/AVRCP both are connected and thatthe USB communication line was made connected earlier than theA2DP/AVRCP was (step S28=YES), the processing proceeds to step S29. Atstep S29, the control section 4 determines whether or not thecommunication counterparty apparatus to which the USB module 6 isconnected by the USB communication line is the same as the communicationcounterparty apparatus to which the BT module 5 is connected byA2DP/AVRCP.

When the control section 4 determines that the communicationcounterparty apparatus to which the USB module 6 is connected by the USBcommunication line is the same as the communication counterpartyapparatus to which the BT module 5 is connected by A2DP/AVRCP (stepS29=YES), the processing proceeds to step 30. At step S30, the controlsection 4 determines whether or not the communication counterpartyapparatus is the earlier-connected interface priority type apparatus,which is a apparatus allowed to transmit the sound data by using onlythe earlier-connected communication interface (first-connectedcommunication interface) when multiple communication interfaces eachenabling sound data transmission are connected. The determination at S30may be made, for example, based on the identification informationreceived from the USB module 25 when the USB communication line wasconnected or the identification information received from the BT module24 when the BT communication line was connected. When the controlsection 4 determines that the communication counterparty apparatus isthe earlier-connected interface priority type apparatus (step S30=YES),the control section 4 disconnects the USB communication line connectedbetween the USB module 6 and the USB module 25 (in order not to allowUSB communication) (step S31). In this case, disconnecting the USBcommunication line does not refers to physically disconnecting the USBcommunication line but it refers to logically disconnecting (bysoftware) the USB communication line to prohibit the USB communication.

When the USB communication line connected between the USB module 6 andthe USB module 25 is disconnected, the A2DP/AVRCP connected between theBT module 5 and the BT module 24 becomes the only communicationinterface that the mobile phone 3 can use to transmit sound data to thein-vehicle apparatus 2. The control section 4 transmits a sound dataoutput start request command from the BT module 5 to the BT module 24.Because of this, the sound data transmission from the BT module 24 tothe BT module 5 by the A2DP/AVRCP starts, and additionally, the soundoutputs from the speaker 17 a, 17 b (step S32). Subsequently, thecontrol section 4 ends the last-used communication interface checkprocessing and returns to the main processing.

When the control section 4 determines that the USB communication line isnot connected between the USB module 6 and the USB module 25 (stepS28=NO) or that the communication counterparty apparatus to which theUSB module 6 is connected by a USB communication line differs from thecommunication counterparty apparatus to which the BT module 5 isconnected by A2DP/AVRCP (step S29=NO) or that the communicationcounterparty apparatus is not of the earlier-connected interfacepriority type apparatus (step S30=NO), the processing proceeds to stepS32. At step S32, the control section 4 transmits a sound data outputstart request command from the BT module 5 to the BT module 24 withoutdisconnecting the USB communication line between the USB module 6 andthe USB module 25. Because of this, the sound data transmission from theBT module 24 to the BT module 5 by A2DP/AVRCP starts, and additionally,the sound outputs from the speaker 17 a, 17 b. Subsequently, the controlsection 4 ends the last-used communication interface check processingand returns to the main processing.

When the control section 4 determines that immediately before thein-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off, the sound data transmittedby A2DP/AVRCP had not been outputted (step S27=NO), the processingproceeds to step S33. At step S33, the control section 4 determineswhether or not the sound data had been outputted using anothercommunication interface (step S33). When the control section 4determines that sound data had been outputted using anothercommunication interface (step S33=YES), the control section 4disconnects the A2DP/AVRCP connected between the BT module 5 and the BTmodule 24 (step S34) and the USB communication line connected betweenthe USB module 6 and the USB module 25 (step S35). This causes sounddata transmitted by the another communication interface to be outputtedfrom the speaker 17 a, 17 b (step S36). Subsequently, the controlsection 4 ends the last-used communication interface check processingand returns to the main processing.

(4) USB Communication Line Connection Check Processing (See FIG. 5)

After entering the USB communication line connection check processingfrom the main processing, the control section 4 first determines whetheror not the USB connection cable 14 is physically connected between thein-vehicle apparatus 2 and the mobile phone 3 (step S41). When theconnection terminal 14 a of the USB connection cable 14 is alreadyconnected to the connection terminal 6 a of the USB module 6 of thein-vehicle apparatus 2 and the other connection terminal 14 b of the USBconnection cable 14 is already connected to the connection terminal 25 aof the USB module 25 of the mobile phone 3 by the user, the controlsection 4 determines that the USB connection cable 14 is physicallyconnected between the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and the mobile phone 3(step S41=YES). Then, the control section 4 causes connect a USBcommunication line between the USB module 6 and the USB module 25 toenable USB communication (step S42). The control section 4 then ends theUSB communication line connection check processing and returns to themain processing. In this case, too, connecting the USB communicationline between the USB module 6 and the USB module 25 does not refer tophysically connecting the USB communication line but it refers tologically connecting (by software) the USB communication line enablingUSB communication.

(5) A2DP/AVRCP-Based Sound Data Output Start Request Check Processing(See FIG. 6)

After entering the A2DP/AVRCP-based sound data output start requestcheck processing from the main processing, the control section 4 firstdetermines whether or not there is a request to start outputting thesound data from the speaker 17 a, 17 b by the A2DP/AVRCP (step S51).

A condition for YES at step 51 is, for example, as follows. When thespeaker 17 a, 17 b is outputting the sound data transmitted by the USBcommunication line, a user operates the operation apparatus 21 toinstruct a change in communication interface from the USB communicationline to the A2DP/AVRCP. Alternatively, when the speaker 17 a, 17 b isnot outputting any sound data, the user operates the operation apparatus21 to instruct the output of the sound data output by A2DP/AVRCP. Whenthe control section 4 determines that there is a request to output thesound data from the speaker 17 a, 17 b by the A2DP/AVRCP (step S51=YES),the control section 4 determines whether or not the sound data is beingoutputted by the USB communication line (step S52).

When the control section 4 determines that no sound data is beingoutputted by the USB communication line (step S52=NO), the controlsection 4 determines whether or not the A2DP/AVRCP is connected betweenthe BT module 5 and the BT module 24 (step S55). When the controlsection 4 determines that the A2DP/AVRCP is connected between the BTmodule 5 and the BT module 24 (step S55=YES), the control section 4transmits a sound data output start request command from the BT module 5to the BT module 24. Because of this, the sound data transmission fromthe BT module 24 to the BT module 5 by A2DP/AVRCP starts, and thecontrol section 5 outputs the sound from the speaker 17 a, 17 b (stepS57). Subsequently, the control section 4 ends the A2DP/AVRCP-basedsound data output start request check processing and returns to the mainprocessing.

When the control section 4 determines that the A2DP/AVRCP is notconnected between the BT module 5 and the BT module 24 (step S55=NO),the control section 4 connects the A2DP/AVRCP between the BT module 5and the BT module 24 (step S56) and transmits a sound data output startrequest command from the BT module 5 to the BT module 24. Because ofthis, the sound data transmission from the BT module 24 to the BT module5 by A2DP/AVRCP starts, and the control section 5 outputs the sound fromthe speaker 17 a, 17 b (step S57). Subsequently, the control section 4ends the A2DP/AVRCP-based sound data output start request checkprocessing and returns to the main processing.

When the control section 4 determines that the sound data is beingoutputted by the USB communication line (step S52=YES), the controlsection 4 stops outputting the sound data by the USB communication line(step S53). Then, after disconnecting the USB communication line betweenthe USB module 6 and the USB module 25 (step S54), the control section 4executes the above-described steps S55 to S57. Thereafter, the controlsection 4 ends the A2DP/AVRCP-based sound data output start requestcheck processing and returns to the main processing.

(6) USB-Communication-Line-Based Sound Data Output Start Request CheckProcessing (See FIG. 7)

After entering the USB-communication-line-based sound data output startrequest check processing from the main processing, the control section 4first determines whether or not there is a request to start the sounddata output by the USB communication line (step S61).

In step S61, the control section 4 determines that starting of sounddata output from the speaker 17 a, 17 b by a USB communication line hasbeen requested, for example, when it determines that, in a state wheresound data transmitted from the mobile phone 3 by A2DP/AVRCP is beingoutputted from the speaker 17 a, 17 b, the communication interface wasswitched from A2DP/AVRCP to a USB communication line at the operationunit 21 or when it determines that, in a state with no sound dataoutputted from the speaker 17 a, 17 b, the operation unit 21 wasoperated to start sound data output by a USB communication line. Whenthe control section 4 determines that starting of sound data output fromthe speaker 17 a, 17 b by a USB communication line has been requested(step S61=YES), the control section 4 determines whether or not sounddata is being outputted by A2DP/AVRCP (step S62).

When the control section 4 determines that sound data is not beingoutputted by A2DP/AVRCP (step S62=NO), the control section 4 determineswhether or not a USB communication line is connected between the USBmodule 6 and the USB module 25 (step S65). When the control section 4determines that a USB communication line is connected between the USBmodule 6 and the USB module 25 (step S65=YES), the control section 4 hasa sound data output start request command transmitted from the USBmodule 6 to the USB module 25. This causes sound data transmission fromthe USB module 25 to the USB module 6 by the USB communication line tobe started and the sound to be outputted from the speaker 17 a, 17 b(step S67). Subsequently, the control section 4 ends theUSB-communication-line-based sound data output start request checkprocessing and returns to the main processing.

When the control section 4 determines that no USB communication line isconnected between the USB module 6 and the USB module 25 (step S65=NO),the control section 4 connects a USB communication line between the USBmodule 6 and the USB module 25 (step S66) and has a sound data outputstart request command transmitted from the USB module 6 to the USBmodule 25. This causes sound data transmission from the USB module 25 tothe USB module 6 by the USB communication line to be started and thesound to be outputted from the speaker 17 a, 17 b (step S67).Subsequently, the control section 4 ends theUSB-communication-line-based sound data output start request checkprocessing and returns to the main processing.

When the control section 4 determines that sound data is being outputtedby A2DP/AVRCP (step S62=YES), the control section 4 terminates sounddata output from the speaker 17 a, 17 b by A2DP/AVRCP (step S63) and,after disconnecting A2DP/AVRCP connected between the BT module 5 and theBT module 24 (step S64), executes steps S65 to S67 described above.Subsequently, the control section 4 ends theUSB-communication-line-based sound data output start request checkprocessing and returns to the main processing.

(7) A2DP/AVRCP-Based Sound Data Output End Request Check Processing (SeeFIG. 8)

After entering the A2DP/AVRCP-based sound data output end request checkprocessing from the main processing, the control section 4 firstdetermines whether or not there is a request to terminate the sound dataoutput from the speaker 17 a, 17 b by the A2DP/AVRCP (step S71). Acondition for YES at step S71 is, for example, as follows. When thesound data transmitted from the BT module 24 to the BT module 5 byA2DP/AVRCP is being outputted from the speaker 17 a, 17 b, the useroperates the operation unit 21 to input an output end instruction. Whenthe control section 4 determines that there is the request to terminatethe sound data output from the speaker 17 a, 17 b by the A2DP/AVRCP(step S71=YES), the control section 4 transmits a sound data output endrequest command from the BT module 5 to the BT module 24. This causesthe sound data transmission from the BT module 24 to the BT module 5 byA2DP/AVRCP to be terminated and the sound output from the speaker 17 a,17 b to be terminated (step S72).

Subsequently, the control section 4 disconnects the A2DP/AVRCP betweenthe BT module 5 and the BT module 24 (step S73), ends theA2DP/AVRCP-based sound data output end request check processing, andreturns to the main processing.

(8) USB-Communication-Line-Based Sound Data Output End Request CheckProcessing (See FIG. 9)

After entering the USB-communication-line-based sound data output endrequest check processing from the main processing, the control section 4first determines whether or not there is a request to terminate thesound data output from the speaker 17 a, 17 b by the USB communicationline (step S81). A condition for YES at step S81 is, for example, asfollows. When the sound data transmitted from the USB module 25 to theUSB module 6 by the USB communication line is being outputted from thespeaker 17 a, 17 b, the user operates the operation unit 21 to input anoutput end instruction.

When the control section 5 determines that there is the request toterminate the sound data output from the speaker 17 a, 17 b by the USBcommunication line (step S81=YES), the control section 4 transmits asound data output end request command from the USB module 6 to the USBmodule 25. This causes the sound data transmission from the USB module25 to the USB module 6 by the USB communication line to be terminatedand the sound output from the speaker 17 a, 17 b to be terminated (stepS82).

Subsequently, the control section 4 disconnects the USB communicationline connected between the USB module 6 and the USB module 25 (stepS83), ends the USB-communication-line-based sound data output endrequest check processing, and returns to the main processing.

The above processings will be described in more detail below byreferring to exemplary situations where the USB communication line is anearlier-connected communication interface and the A2DP/AVRCP is alater-connected communication interface, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.One exemplary situation shown in FIG. 10 assumes that the sound datatransmitted by the USB communication line had been outputted from thespeaker 17 a, 17 b immediately before the in-vehicle apparatus 2 waslast powered off. Another exemplary situation shown in FIG. 11 assumesthat the sound data transmitted by the A2DP/AVRCP USB had been outputtedfrom the speaker 17 a, 17 b immediately before the in-vehicle apparatus2 was last powered off.

When the control section 4 determines that the mobile phone 3 acting asthe communication counterparty of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 is theordinary type apparatus, the communication interface usable to transmitthe sound data does not depend on an order in which the communicationinterfaces are connected. In this case, the control section 4 may causethe operations illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 Specifically, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, after the in-vehicle apparatus 2 is powered on, thecontrol section 4 causes, without disconnecting any connected-one of theUSB communication line and the A2DP/AVRCP (while maintaining theconnection), the start of the sound data transmission and the output ofthe sound from the speaker 17 a, 17 b by using the same communicationinterface that had been used for the sound data transmission immediatelybefore the in-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off, regardless ofwhich of the USB communication line and the A2DP/AVRCP had been used totransmit the sound data and output the sound from the speaker 17 a, 17 bimmediately before the in-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off.

Subsequently, when the control section 4 determines that an outputswitching operation for switching to the USB communication line orA2DP/AVRCP has been performed, the control section 4 accordinglyswitches the communication interface for the sound data transmissionwithout disconnecting the connected USB communication line andA2DP/AVRCP and starts transmitting the sound data by the communicationinterface switched to, causing the sound to be outputted from thespeaker 17 a, 17 b.

When the control section 4 determines that the mobile phone 3 acting asthe communication counterparty of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 is thelater-connected interface priority type apparatus, the communicationinterface usable to transmit the sound data is limited to alast-connected communication interface. In this case, as shown in FIG.12, if the sound data transmitted by the USB communication line had beenoutputted immediately before the in-vehicle apparatus 2 was last poweredoff, in other words, if the sound data transmitted by anearlier-connected communication interface had been outputted immediatelybefore the in-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off, the controlsection causes the following operation. The control section 4disconnects the later-connected interface, which is the later-connectedone of the USB communication line and the A2DP/AVRCP and which is theA2DP/AVRCP in this example. Additionally, the control section 4 startsthe sound data transmission by the USB communication line that had beenused to transmit the sound data immediately before the in-vehicleapparatus 2 was last powered off. Then, the control section 4 outputsthe sound from the speaker 17 a, 17 b.

Subsequently, when the control section 4 determines that an outputswitching operation for switching from the USB communication line to theA2DP/AVRCP has been performed, the control section 4 reconnects thedisconnected A2DP/AVRCP and switches the communication interface forsound data transmission from the USB communication line to thereconnected A2DP/AVRCP. The control unit 4 then starts sound datatransmission by the reconnected A2DP/AVRCP, thereby starting soundoutput from the speaker 17 a, 17 b. Note that the control section 4 mayreconnect the disconnected A2DP/AVRCP before an output switchingoperation for switching from the USB communication line to A2DP/AVRCP isperformed. In such a case, even while sound data is being outputted bythe USB communication line, it is possible to make the A2DP/AVRCP thelater-connected communication interface. Also, if the A2DP/AVRCP isconnected at a time when an output switching operation for switchingfrom the USB communication line to A2DP/AVRCP is performed, the controlsection 4 may once disconnect and then reconnect the A2DP/AVRCP.

When the sound data transmitted by a later-connected communicationinterface had been outputted immediately before the in-vehicle apparatus2 was last powered off, in other words, when the sound data transmittedby the A2DP/AVRCP had been outputted immediately before the in-vehicleapparatus 2 was last powered off, the control section 4 starts, as shownin FIG. 13, without disconnecting any connected-one of the USBcommunication line and the A2DP/AVRCP, the sound data transmission byusing the A2DP/AVRCP that had been used to transmit the sound dataimmediately before the in-vehicle apparatus 4 was last powered off.Accordingly, the control section 4 starts the sound output from thespeaker 17 a, 17 b.

Subsequently, when the control section 4 determines that an outputswitching operation for switching from A2DP/AVRCP to the USBcommunication line is performed, the control section 4 disconnects theA2DP/AVRCP, which is the later-connected communication interface, andswitches the communication interface for sound data transmission fromthe A2DP/AVRCP to the USB communication line. The control section 4 thenstarts the sound data transmission by the USB communication lineswitched to, thereby starting sound output from the speaker 17 a, 17 b.

Another exemplary case will be described with reference to FIG. 14. Inthis case, the control section determines that the mobile phone 3 actingas the communication counterparty of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 is theearlier-connected interface priority type apparatus, and thus, thecommunication interface usable to transmit the sound data is limited toa first-connected communication interface. Therefore, if the sound datatransmitted by a USB communication line had been outputted immediatelybefore the in-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off, i.e., if thesound data transmitted by an earlier-connected communication interfacehas been outputted immediately before the in-vehicle apparatus 2 waslast powered off, the control section 4 starts, without disconnectingany one of the connected USB communication line and A2DP/AVRCP, thesound data transmission and the sound output from the speaker 17 a, 17 bby using the USB communication line that had been used to transmit thesound data immediately before the in-vehicle apparatus 2 was lastpowered off.

Subsequently, when the control section 4 determines that an outputswitching operation for switching from the USB communication to theA2DP/AVRCP is performed, the control section 4 disconnects the USBcommunication line, i.e. the earlier-connected communication interface,and switches the communication interface for sound data transmissionfrom the USB communication line to the A2DP/AVRCP. The control section 4then starts sound data transmission using the A2DP/AVRCP switched to,thereby causing sound output from the speaker 17 a, 17 b to be started.

When the sound data transmitted by the A2DP/AVRCP had been outputtedimmediately before the in-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off asshown in FIG. 15, in other words, when the sound data transmitted by thelater-connected communication interface had been outputted immediatelybefore the in-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off, the controlsection 4 disconnects the USB communication line, which is theearlier-connected communication interface out of the USB communicationline and the A2DP/AVRCP, and additionally, the control section 4 startsthe sound data transmission by using the A2DP/AVRCP that had been usedto transmit the sound data immediately before the in-vehicle apparatus 2was last powered off, thereby starting sound output from the speaker 17a, 17 b.

Subsequently, when the control section 4 determines that an outputswitching operation for switching from the A2DP/AVRCP to the USBcommunication line is performed, the control section 4 disconnects theA2DP/AVRCP, reconnects the USB communication line, and switches thecommunication interface for sound data reception from the A2DP/AVRCP tothe USB communication line. The control section 4 then starts sound datatransmission by the USB communication line switched to, thereby startingsound output from the speaker 17 a, 17 b.

Assuming two situations, FIG. 16 summarizes the processings describedabove with reference to FIGS. 10 to 1. One assumed situation is thatwhere the USB communication line was made connected earlier than theA2DP/AVRCP, the sound data transmitted by the USB communication line hadbeen outputted from the speaker 17 a, 17 b immediately before thein-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off. The other assumed situationis that where the USB communication line was made connected earlier thanthe A2DP/AVRCP, the sound data transmitted by the A2DP/AVRCP had beenoutputted from the speaker 17 a, 17 b immediately before the in-vehicleapparatus 2 was last powered off. Substantially the same as in FIG. 16is applicable when the order of connecting the USB communication lineand the A2DP/AVRCP is reversed. Assuming two situations, FIG. 17summarizes the processings described above with reference to FIGS. 10 to15. One assumed situation is that where the A2DP/AVRCP was madeconnected earlier than the USB communication line, the sound datatransmitted by the USB communication line has been outputted from thespeaker 17 a, 17 b immediately before the in-vehicle apparatus 2 waslast powered off. The other assumed situation is that where theA2DP/AVRCP was made connected earlier than the USB communication line,the sound data transmitted by the A2DP/AVRCP had been outputted from thespeaker 17 a, 17 b immediately before the in-vehicle apparatus 2 waslast powered off.

In the above described configuration, since the communication interfacescapable of sound data transmission, which are the, USB communicationline and the A2DP/AVRCP, are automatically connected immediately afterthe in-vehicle apparatus 2 is powered on, the last-used communicationinterface check processing is performed to enable control of theconnection/disconnection of the USB communication line and theA2DP/AVRCP based on the communication interface that has been used totransmit the sound data immediately before the in-vehicle apparatus 2was last powered off. However, if the communication interfaces capableof sound data transmission are not automatically connected immediatelyafter the in-vehicle apparatus 2 is powered on, the last-usedcommunication interface check processing may be performed in thefollowing way (see FIG. 18).

As shown in FIG. 18, after entering the last-used communicationinterface check processing from the main processing, the control section4 first determines whether or not the sound data transmitted from theUSB module 25 to the USB module 6 by the USB communication line has beenoutputted immediately before the in-vehicle apparatus was last poweredoff (the ACC switch off) (step S91).

When the control section 4 determines that the sound data transmitted bythe USB communication line had been outputted immediately before thein-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off (step S91=YES), the controlsection 4 determines whether or not the USB connection cable 14 isphysically connected between the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and the mobilephone 3 (step S92). When the control section 4 determines that the USBconnection cable 14 is physically connected between the in-vehicleapparatus 2 and the mobile phone 3 (step S92=YES), the control section 4connects the USB communication line between the USB module 6 and the USBmodule 25 (enabling USB communication) (step S93) and transmits a sounddata output start request command from the USB module 6 to the USBmodule 25. Because of this, the control section 4 causes the start ofthe sound data transmission from the USB module 25 to the USB module 6by the USB communication line and causes the start of the sound outputfrom the speaker 17 a, 17 b (step S94). Subsequently, the controlsection 4 ends the last-used communication interface check processingand returns to the main processing.

When the control section 4 determines that the sound data transmitted bythe USB communication line had not been outputted immediately before thein-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off (step S91=NO), the controlsection 4 determines whether or not the sound data transmitted from theBT module 24 to the BT module 5 by the A2DP/AVRCP had been outputtedimmediately before the in-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off (stepS95).

When the control section 4 determines that sound data transmitted by theA2DP/AVRCP had been outputted immediately before the in-vehicleapparatus 2 was last powered off (step S95=YES), the control section 4connects the A2DP/AVRCP between the BT module 5 and the BT module 24(step S96) and transmits a sound data output start request command fromthe BT module 5 to the BT module 24. Because of this, the controlssection 4 causes the start of the sound data transmission from the BTmodule 24 to the BT module 5 by the A2DP/AVRCP and causes the start ofthe sound output from the speaker 17 a, 17 b (step S97). Subsequently,the control section 4 ends the last-used communication interface checkprocessing and returns to the main processing.

When the control section 4 determines that the sound data transmitted bythe A2DP/AVRCP had not been outputted immediately before the in-vehicleapparatus 2 was last powered off (step S95=NO), the control section 4determines whether or not the sound data has been outputted usinganother communication interface (step S98). When the control section 4determines that the sound data had been outputted using anothercommunication interface (step S98=YES), the control section 4 starts thesound data output from the speaker 17 a, 17 b using the anothercommunication interface (step S99). Subsequently, the control section 4ends the last-used communication interface check processing and returnsto the main processing.

In the above series of processings, it is determined which communicationinterface had been used to transmit the sound data immediately beforethe in-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off, and thereafter, thesame communication interface as the one that had been used to transmitthe sound data transmission immediately before the in-vehicle apparatus2 was last powered off is connected again. Therefore, in order toappropriately transmit the sound data from the mobile phone 3, it isunnecessary to determine the type of the mobile phone 3 (the type of thecommunication counterpart of the in-vehicle apparatus 2). Additionally,it is possible to appropriately transmit the sound data from the mobilephone 3 regardless of the type of the mobile phone 3 (the type of thecommunication counterpart of the in-vehicle apparatus 2)

In the present embodiment, in order to transmit the sound data from themobile phone 3 to the in-vehicle apparatus 2 by the USB communicationline, the in-vehicle apparatus 2 controls connection/disconnection ofthe USB communication line and the A2DP/AVRCP so as to enable the mobilephone 3 to transmit he sound data by the USB communication line.Similarly, in order to transmit the sound data from the mobile phone 3the in-vehicle apparatus 2 by the A2DP/AVRCP, the in-vehicle apparatus 2controls connection/disconnection of the USB communication line andA2DP/AVRCP so as to enable the mobile phone 3 to transmit the sound datausing the A2DP/AVRCP. This enables the mobile phone 3 to appropriatelytransmit the sound data even when the mobile phone 3 is designed to notappropriately transmit the sound data in the case of the concurrently(simultaneously) connection of the USB communication line and theA2DP/AVRCP.

Specifically, where (i) the USB communication line was made connectedearlier than the A2DP/AVRCP, (ii) the mobile phone 3 acting as thecommunication counterpart of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 is thelater-connected interface priority type apparatus, and (iii) the sounddata transmitted by the USB communication line had been outputtedimmediately before the in-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off, theearlier-connected communication interface, i.e. the USB communicationline is kept connected and the later-connected communication interface,i.e. A2DP/AVRCP, is disconnected. In this way, the sound datatransmission can be started and the sound output from the speaker 17 a,17 b can be started using the USB communication line, in other words,the same communication interface as the one that had been used for sounddata transmission immediately before the in-vehicle apparatus 2 was lastpowered off.

Furthermore, where (i) the USB communication line was made connectedearlier than the A2DP/AVRCP, (ii) the mobile phone 3 acting as thecommunication counterpart of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 is theearlier-connected interface priority type apparatus, and (iii) the sounddata transmitted by the A2DP/AVRCP had been outputted immediately beforethe in-vehicle apparatus 2 was last powered off, the later-connectedcommunication interface, i.e. A2DP/AVRCP is kept connected and theearlier-connected communication interface, i.e. the USB communicationline, is disconnected. In this way, the sound data transmission and thesound output from the speaker 17 a, 17 b can be started using theA2DP/AVRCP, i.e. the same communication interface as the one that hadbeen used for sound data transmission immediately before the in-vehicleapparatus 2 was last powered off.

Embodiments are not limited to the above embodiments and can be modifiedor expanded in various ways, example of which will be described.

For example, the short-range wireless communication apparatus may beother than the in-vehicle apparatus 2. As long as the short-rangewireless communication apparatus includes a BT module having a functioncomparable to that of the BT module 5, the short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus may be, for example, a navigation apparatushaving a navigation function. Additionally, the short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus may not be required to be an in-vehicleapparatus. The communication counterparty apparatus, which is thecommunication counterparty of the short-range wireless communicationapparatus, is not limited to the mobile phone 3. As long as thecommunication counterparty apparatus includes a BT module having afunction comparable to that of the BT module 24, the communicationcounterparty apparatus may be a portable information terminal or thelike, or alternatively, the communication counterparty apparatus may bea fixed terminal, which is not portable.

The above embodiments are applicable not only to cases where twocommunication interfaces are simultaneously connected but also to caseswhere three or more communication interfaces are simultaneouslyconnected. In cases where three or more communication interfaces aresimultaneously connected also, the connection/disconnection of thecommunication interfaces can be controlled based on the type of themobile phone 3 (the type of the communication counterpart of thein-vehicle apparatus 2). Specifically, in cases where threecommunication interfaces such as a USB communication line, A2DP/AVRCPand WiFi are connected, the control may be performed in the followingway. For example, where (i) the USB communication line was connectedfirst, (ii) the A2DP/AVRCP was connected second, (iii) the WiFi wasconnected third, (iv) the mobile phone 3 acting as the communicationcounterpart of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 is the later-connectedinterface priority type apparatus, the A2DP/AVRCP and WiFi may bedisconnected in response to a request to start output of the sound databy the USB communication line. In response to a request to start outputof the sound data by the WiFi, the WiFi may be kept connected.

The in-vehicle apparatus 2 may be configured to be capable of storingthe type of each communication counterparty apparatus. When a BTcommunication line or a USB communication line is connected between thein-vehicle apparatus 2 and the communication counterparty apparatus, thein-vehicle apparatus 2 stores identification information received fromthe communication counterparty apparatus, so that the in-vehicleapparatus 2 can identify the type of the communication counterpartyapparatus next time the BT communication line or USB communication lineis connected between the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and the communicationcounterparty apparatus.

The present disclosure has various aspects. For example, according to afirst aspect, a short-range wireless communication apparatus can beconfigured as follows. The short-range wireless communication apparatuscomprises a plurality of connection devices and a control device. Theplurality of connection devices is capable of simultaneously connectinga plurality of communication interfaces to a communication counterpartyapparatus, respectively, and capable of causing transfer of sound datafrom the communication counterparty apparatus by the plurality ofcommunication interfaces, respectively. The control device is configuredto cause a sound data output device to selectively output the sound datatransferred from the communication counterparty apparatus to any of theconnection devices by any of the communication interfaces. When thecontrol device determines that, in cases where the communicationinterfaces are communicably connected, there arises a request to startoutputting the sound data transferred by one of the communicationinterfaces, the control device disconnects another one of thecommunication interfaces while keeping the one of the communicationinterfaces connected and causes the sound data output device to outputthe sound data that is transferred from the communication counterpartyapparatus by the one of the communication interfaces.

According to the above configuration, even if the communicationcounterparty apparatus is designed to be incapable of appropriatelytransfer the sound data due to the simultaneously-connected multiplecommunication interfaces between the short-range wireless communicationapparatus and the communication counterparty apparatus, the short-rangewireless communication apparatus can cause the communicationcounterparty apparatus to appropriately transfer the sound data bydisconnecting the another one of the communication interfaces whilemaintaining the connection of the one of the communication interfacesassociated with the sound data output start request.

The above short-range wireless communication apparatus may be configuredas follows. When the control device determines that, in cases where thecommunication interfaces are communicably connected, there arises therequest to start outputting the sound data transferred by one of thecommunication interfaces, the control device disconnects all the othersof the communication interfaces while keeping the one of thecommunication interfaces connected and causes the sound data outputdevice to output the sound data that is transferred from thecommunication counterparty apparatus by the one of the communicationinterfaces. In the above, the all the others of the communicationinterfaces is all of the multiple communication interfaces except theone of the communication interfaces.

According to the above configuration, even if the communicationcounterparty apparatus is designed to be incapable of appropriatelytransferring the sound data due to the simultaneously-connected multiplecommunication interfaces between the short-range wireless communicationapparatus and the communication counterparty apparatus, the short-rangewireless communication apparatus can cause the communicationcounterparty apparatus to appropriately transfer the sound data bydisconnects all the others of the communication interfaces (which may bemultiple interfaces) while maintaining the connection of the one of thecommunication interfaces associated with the request to start outputtingthe sound data.

The above short-range wireless communication apparatus may be configuredas follows. When the control device determines that, in cases where thecommunication interfaces are communicably connected, there arises therequest to start outputting the sound data transferred by alast-connected communication interface which is one of the communicationinterfaces that was connected last among the communication interfaces,the control device disconnects another one of the communicationinterfaces while keeping the one of the communication interfacesconnected and causes the sound data output device to output the sounddata that is transferred from the communication counterparty apparatusby the one of the communication interfaces.

According to the above configuration, even if the communicationcounterparty apparatus is designed to be capable of transferring thesound data only by the last-connected communication interface (in otherwords, even if the communication counterparty apparatus is thelater-connected interface priority type apparatus), the short-rangewireless communication apparatus can causes the last-connectedcommunication interface to be only an available communication interfacefor the communication counterparty apparatus to transfer the sound data.This can be done by disconnecting the other of the communicationinterfaces while keeping the last-connected communication interfaceconnected.

The above short-range wireless communication apparatus may be configuredas follows. After disconnecting the another one of the communicationinterfaces, the control device reconnects the disconnected another oneof the communication interfaces.

According to the above configuration, since the short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus can disconnect the another one of thecommunication interfaces (which is other than the one of thecommunication interfaces) and thereafter reconnect the disconnectedanother one of the communication interfaces, the reconnected another oneof the communication interfaces can be made the last-connectedcommunication interface. Therefore, at a time when the communicationinterface associated with the request to start outputting the sound datais changed from the one of the communication interfaces to the anotherone of the communication interfaces, the another one of thecommunication interfaces has been already connected. Therefore, itbecomes possible to continuously transfer the sound data by the anotherone of the communication interfaces.

The above short-range wireless communication apparatus may be configuredas follows. When the control device determines, after disconnecting theanother one of the communication interfaces, that there arises a requestto start outputting the sound data by the another one of thecommunication interfaces, the control device performs control such thatif the another one of the communication interfaces is currentlyconnected, the control device disconnects and then reconnects theanother one of the communication interfaces.

According to the above configuration, if the another one of thecommunication interfaces is currently connected at a time when therequest is changed from the request to start outputting by the one ofthe communication interfaces to the request to start outputting by theanother one of the communication interfaces, the short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus can make the another communication interface thelast-connected communication interface by disconnecting and thenreconnecting the another one of the communication interfaces, therebyenabling the transfer of the sound data by the another one of thecommunication interfaces.

The above short-range wireless communication apparatus may be configuredas follows. When the control device determines, after disconnecting theanother one of the communication interfaces, that there arises a requestto start outputting the sound data by the another one of thecommunication interfaces, the control device performs control such thatif the another one of the communication interfaces is currentlyunconnected, the control device reconnects the another one of thecommunication interfaces.

According to the above configuration, if the another one of thecommunication interfaces is currently unconnected at a time when therequest is changed from the request to start outputting by the one ofthe communication interfaces to the request to start outputting by theanother one of the communication interfaces, the short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus can make the another communication interface thelast-connected communication interface by reconnecting the another oneof the communication interfaces, thereby enabling the transfer of thesound data by the another one of the communication interfaces

The above short-range wireless communication apparatus may be configuredas follows. When the control device determines that, in cases where thecommunication interfaces are communicably connected, there arises therequest to start outputting the sound data transferred by afirst-connected communication interface which is one of thecommunication interfaces that was made connected first among thecommunication interfaces, the control device disconnects another one ofthe communication interfaces while keeping the one of the communicationinterfaces connected and causes the sound data output device to outputthe sound data that is transferred from the communication counterpartyapparatus by the one of the communication interfaces.

According to the above configuration, even if the communicationcounterparty apparatus is designed to be capable of transferring thesound data only by the first-connected communication interface (in otherwords, even if the communication counterparty apparatus is theearlier-connected interface priority type apparatus), the short-rangewireless communication apparatus can causes the first-connectedcommunication interface to be only an available communication interfacefor the communication counterparty apparatus to transfer the sound data.This can be done by, while keeping the last-connected communicationinterface connected, disconnecting the other of the communicationinterfaces. Namely, even when the communication counterparty apparatusis the earlier-connected interface priority type apparatus, theshort-range wireless communication apparatus can cause the communicationcounterparty apparatus, which is the earlier-connected interfacepriority type apparatus, to transfer the sound data by thefirst-connected communication interface.

The above short-range wireless communication apparatus may be configuredas follows. When the control device determines, after disconnecting theanother one of the communication interfaces, that there arises a requestto start outputting the sound data by the another one of thecommunication interfaces, the control device disconnects all of thecommunication interfaces including the one of the communicationinterfaces and thereafter reconnects the another one of thecommunication interfaces.

According to the above configuration, when the request is changed fromthe request to start outputting the sound data by the one of thecommunication interfaces to the request to start outputting the sounddata by the another one of the communication interfaces, the short-rangewireless communication apparatus can disconnect all of the communicationinterfaces including the one of the communication interfaces andthereafter reconnect the another one of the communication interfaces,thereby enabling the transfer of the sound data by the another one ofthe communication interfaces.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a short-rangewireless communication apparatus can be configured as follows. Theshort-range wireless communication apparatus comprises: a plurality ofconnection devices capable of simultaneously connecting a plurality ofcommunication interfaces to a communication counterparty apparatus, andcausing transfer of sound data from the communication counterpartyapparatus by the plurality of communication interfaces respectively; anda control device for causing a sound data output device to selectivelyoutput the sound data transferred from the communication counterpartyapparatus to any of the connection devices by any of the communicationinterfaces. When the control device determines that, in cases where oneof the communication interfaces is not communicably connected andanother one of the communication interfaces is communicably connected,there arises a request to start outputting the sound data transferred bythe one of the communication interfaces, the control device disconnectsthe another one of the communication interfaces and thereafter connectsthe one of the communication interfaces and causes the sound data outputdevice to output the sound data that is transferred from thecommunication counterparty apparatus by the one of the communicationinterfaces. Alternatively, when the control device determines that, incases where one of the communication interfaces is not communicablyconnected and all the others of the communication interfaces iscommunicably connected, there arises a request to start outputting thesound data transferred by the one of the communication interfaces, thecontrol device disconnects the another one of the communicationinterfaces and thereafter connects the one of the communicationinterfaces and causes the sound data output device to output the sounddata that is transferred from the communication counterparty apparatusby the one of the communication interfaces.

According to the above configuration, even if the communicationcounterparty apparatus is designed to be incapable of appropriatelytransfer the sound data due to the simultaneously-connected multiplecommunication interfaces between the short-range wireless communicationapparatus and the communication counterparty apparatus, the short-rangewireless communication apparatus can cause the communicationcounterparty apparatus to appropriately transfer the sound data bydisconnecting the another one of the communication interfaces andthereafter connecting the one of the communication interfaces.

It should be noted that the present disclosure is intended to covervarious modification and equivalent arrangements. In addition, while thevarious combinations and configurations, other combinations andconfigurations, including more, less or only a single element, are alsowithin the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A short-range wireless communication apparatuscomprising: a plurality of connection devices capable of connecting aplurality of communication interfaces to a communication counterpartyapparatus and causing transfer of sound data from the communicationcounterparty apparatus by the communication interfaces; and a controldevice configured to cause a sound data output device to selectivelyoutput the sound data transferred from the communication counterpartyapparatus to any of the connection devices by any of the communicationinterfaces, wherein: when the control device determines that acommunication interface that had been used to output the sound data fromthe sound data output device immediately before the short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus was last powered off is one of the communicationinterfaces, the control device connects the one of the communicationinterfaces without connecting another one of the communicationinterfaces and causes the sound data output device to output the sounddata that is transferred from the communication counterparty apparatusby the one of the communication interfaces.
 2. The short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: when the one ofthe communication interfaces is a wired communication interface and thewired communication interface is physically connected, the controldevice connects the one of the communication interfaces withoutconnecting the another one of the communication interfaces and causesthe sound data output device to output the sound data that istransferred from the communication counterparty apparatus by the one ofthe communication interfaces.
 3. The short-range wireless communicationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the connection devices connectthe communication interfaces to a later-connected interface priorityapparatus or an earlier-connected interface priority apparatus, thelater-connected interface priority apparatus being defined as a specificapparatus that is allowed to transfer the sound data by using alast-connected communication interface from among the communicationinterfaces, and the earlier-connected interface priority apparatus beingdefined as a specific apparatus that is allowed to transfer the sounddata by using a first-connected communication interface from among thecommunication interfaces.
 4. A short-range wireless communicationapparatus comprising: a plurality of connection devices capable ofconnecting a plurality of communication interfaces to a communicationcounterparty apparatus and causing transfer of sound data from thecommunication counterparty apparatus by the communication interfaces;and a control device configured to cause a sound data output device toselectively output the sound data transferred from the communicationcounterparty apparatus to any of the connection devices by any of thecommunication interfaces, wherein: when a request to start outputtingthe sound data by using one of the communication interfaces is generatedunder a situation where another one of the communication interfaces isconnected to the communication counterparty apparatus and the one of thecommunication interfaces is not connected to the communicationcounterparty apparatus, the control device connects the one of thecommunication interfaces after disconnecting the another one of thecommunication interfaces and causes the sound data output device tooutput the sound data that is transferred from the communicationcounterparty apparatus by the one of the communication interfaces.